Crabapple setbacks
 

Last Autumn I bought two crab apple trees (Evereste and White Star) which were potted and in full fruit.

They were planted correctly in their supposedly favourite clay soil, but this year the Evereste has one apple, and the White Star about 20.

Both trees appear to have established and are in no danger of dying.

They came from a reputable East of Scotland grower, but I can't help feeling that they must have been forced to have been so laden with apples in a 10-inch pot.

Or have I done something wrong? I am a beginner with crab apples, so any help at all would be very welcome.

Crabapple setbacks
 

They were planted correctly in their supposedly favourite clay soil,
but this year the Evereste has one apple, and the White Star about 20.
. . .
They came from a reputable East of Scotland grower, but I can't help
feeling that they must have been forced to have been so laden with
apples in a 10-inch pot.

Don't know a whole lot about crabapples in particular, but often the
mere putting of a plant in a small pot will encourage flowering (I
believe the evolutionary origin of this trait is that a plant which is
stressed in various ways tries to reproduce, in case it doesn't make
it). No doubt there are other ways that the nursery could have forced
the flowers. Since plants which are in flower sell for more than ones
which aren't, it isn't especially shocking, nor especially worrysome
in terms of your long-term success with the plant.

My rule of thumb with woody plants is that I don't expect
flowers/fruit for at least the first year (longer for some plants).

If it goes another year or several without flowers, then I'd start
wondering about fertilization (e.g. too much nitrogen), not enough
sun, etc. But the fact that you didn't get a bloom the first year
they were in your soil doesn't strike me as unusual or problematic.

Thanks very much, Jim, for your reply.

I should have said that the trees did flower slightly this Spring.

But that's good news about the prospects for future fruit - I'll keep you up to date with any future developments.

Interesting about the stress caused by potting a large tree in a small pot, too. You live and learn.

Thanks again.

Crabapple setbacks
 

"Crabapple" wrote in message
...

Last Autumn I bought two crab apple trees (Evereste and White Star)
which were potted and in full fruit.

They were planted correctly in their supposedly favourite clay soil,
but this year the Evereste has one apple, and the White Star about 20.


Both trees appear to have established and are in no danger of dying.

They came from a reputable East of Scotland grower, but I can't help
feeling that they must have been forced to have been so laden with
apples in a 10-inch pot.

Or have I done something wrong? I am a beginner with crab apples, so
any help at all would be very welcome.

I wouldn't worry, the tree is probably diverting it's energy into root
development in lieu of fruit production. Also remember that birds, squirrels
and other wildlife will eat some of your fruit which is OK in the case of a
crabapple.

-al sung
Rapid Realm Technology, Inc.
Hopkinton, MA
(Zone 6a)

Crabapple setbacks
 

Crabapple wrote:
Last Autumn I bought two crab apple trees (Evereste and White Star)
which were potted and in full fruit.

They were planted correctly in their supposedly favourite clay soil,
but this year the Evereste has one apple, and the White Star about 20.

Both trees appear to have established and are in no danger of dying.

They came from a reputable East of Scotland grower, but I can't help
feeling that they must have been forced to have been so laden with
apples in a 10-inch pot.

Or have I done something wrong? I am a beginner with crab apples, so
any help at all would be very welcome.


Replanted trees typically go into shock. That the foliage is fine is
a good indication that all is well. Those trees are simply diverting
their energy from flowering to rooting Have patience, could be a
couple-three years before those trees establish a root system and
fully recover

Thanks for that, Al.

I am starting to feel more confident by the day!

The trees cost £35 each, so you'll understand my sense of investment.